On January 7, 2025, Mace Hack embarked on a 30-minute birding excursion along A. Veneracion Street in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. The morning outing yielded an exciting array of 12 bird species, showcasing the area's surprising avifaunal diversity.

Among the highlights, the Whiskered Tern population flourished with 13 individuals spotted during the brief excursion. The Philippine Pied-Fantail, a sleek and charismatic bird, made a special appearance, with only one sighting. The Long-tailed Shrike and Striated Grassbird also caught attention, with counts of 2 and 4, respectively.

Other notable sightings included the Gray-rumped Swiftlet, Zebra Dove, Nankeen Night Heron, and Pacific Swallow, each with their unique characteristics. Notably, the area's urban landscape was home to a variety of species, including the Yellow-vented Bulbul, Asian Glossy Starling, Crested Myna, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

The outing provided a glimpse into the rich birdlife of Metro Manila, demonstrating that even in urban areas, nature can thrive with the right conditions. As Mace Hack took note of the diverse species, it became clear that a brief morning excursion could be transformational, revealing the wonders that await discovery in one of the world's most densely populated cities.